U.S. patent number 6,196,612 [Application Number 09/077,952] was granted by the patent office on 2001-03-06 for storable exterior seat for a vehicle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Textron Automotive Company. Invention is credited to John A. Grimes.
United States Patent |
6,196,612 |
Grimes |
March 6, 2001 |
Storable exterior seat for a vehicle
Abstract
An automotive seat assembly (10, 10') including a platform (18,
18') supported on an automotive vehicle (12, 12'). The platform
(18, 18') is movable through a storage compartment opening (22,
22') in an exterior shell (14, 14') of the vehicle (12, 12')
between an interior stowed position and a horizontal exterior use
position. A platform support structure (24, 24') secures the
platform (18, 18') in the use position. The platform support
structure (24, 24') includes a bumper (26, 26') supported on the
vehicle (12, 12') below the storage compartment opening (22, 22').
The bumper (26, 26') supports the platform (18, 18') when the
platform (18, 18') is in the use position. A spacer pad (36) fixed
to a bottom surface (62) of the platform (18) protects the finish
of the bumper (26).
Inventors: |
Grimes; John A. (Dover,
NH) |
Assignee: |
Textron Automotive Company
(Dover, NH)
|
Family
ID: |
21745930 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/077,952 |
Filed: |
May 13, 1999 |
PCT
Filed: |
January 22, 1997 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/US97/00995 |
371
Date: |
May 13, 1999 |
102(e)
Date: |
May 13, 1999 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO97/27075 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
July 31, 1997 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/65.05;
293/117; 296/65.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N
2/3011 (20130101); B60N 2/3054 (20130101); B60N
2/3075 (20130101); B60N 2/3095 (20130101); B60N
2/24 (20130101); B60N 2/3065 (20130101); B60R
9/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60N
2/24 (20060101); B60N 2/30 (20060101); B60N
002/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;296/65.01,64,65.05,69,37.1 ;293/106,117 ;108/44 ;280/163,762
;297/15,147,331,335,334 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Dayoan; D. Glenn
Assistant Examiner: Morrow; Jason
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Reising, Ethington, Barnes,
Kisselle, Learman & McCulloch PC
Claims
I claim:
1. An automotive vehicle (12, 12') and seat assembly (10, 10') in
which:
the vehicle (12, 12') includes an exterior shell (14) that defines
and bounds a vehicle interior (16, 16');
the seat assembly (12, 12') includes a platform (18, 18') including
an upper seating surface (20, 20') supported on said vehicle (12,
12'), at least a portion of said upper seating surface (20, 20')
extending outside said vehicle interior (16, 16') in a generally
horizontal use position;
the vehicle (12, 12') including a platform support structure (24,
24') engageable with said platform (18, 18') to support said
platform (18, 18') in said use position;
an opening (22, 22') is disposed in said exterior shell (14, 14'),
said platform (18, 18') being movable through said opening (22,
22') between said use position and an interior stowed position
within said vehicle interior (16, 16') to protect said platform
(18, 18') from the elements and to prevent said platform (18, 18')
from interfering with the operation of a vehicle bumper (26, 26')
in a collision;
said platform (18) defines an inclined plane when in said stowed
position with an outer edge (38) of said platform (18) disposed
higher than an inner edge (34) of said platform (18);
said platform (18) is translationally movable along said inclined
plane between said interior stowed position and an exterior raised
position above said use position; and
said platform (18) is pivotally movable between said raised
position and said use position about a horizontal pivot axis (40)
disposed adjacent and parallel to said platform inner edge
(34).
2. An automotive vehicle (12, 12') and seat assembly (10, 10'), the
vehicle (12, 12') including an exterior shell (14) that defines and
bounds a vehicle interior (16, 16'); the seat assembly (12, 12')
comprising:
a platform (18, 18') including an upper seating surface (20, 20')
supported on said vehicle (12, 12'), at least a portion of said
upper seating surface (20, 20') extending outside said vehicle
interior (16, 16') in a generally horizontal use position;
the vehicle including a platform support structure (24, 24')
engageable with said platform (18, 18') to support said platform
(18, 18') in said use position;
said vehicle (12, 12') including an opening (22, 22') in said
exterior shell (14, 14'), said platform (18, 18') being movable
through said opening (22, 22') between said use position and an
interior stowed position within said vehicle interior (16, 16') to
protect said platform (18, 18') from the elements and to prevent
said platform (18, 18') from interfering with the operation of a
vehicle bumper (26, 26') in a collision;
said platform support structure (24, 24') including a bumper (26,
26') supported below said opening (22, 22') in said exterior shell
(14, 14'), said bumper (26, 26') supporting said platform (18, 18')
when said platform (18, 18') is in said use position.
3. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10) as defined in claim
2 in which said platform (18) includes at least one spacer (36)
disposed on a bottom surface (62) of said platform (18) opposite
said upper seating surface (20).
4. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10) as defined in claim
2 in which said vehicle (12) includes a back gate (30) and in which
said back gate (30) includes a cut-out region (32) disposed along a
lower marginal edge of said back gate (30), said cut-out region
(32) shaped to fit over an inner edge (34) of said platform (18) in
said use position.
5. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10) as defined in claim
2 in which:
said platform (18) is oriented on an imaginary inclined plane in
said stowed position with an outer edge (38) of said platform (18)
disposed higher than an inner edge (34) of said platform (18);
said platform (18) is translationally movable along said inclined
plane between said interior stowed position and an exterior raised
position above said use position; and
said platform (18) is pivotally movable between said raised
position and said use position about a horizontal pivot axis (40)
disposed adjacent and parallel to said platform inner edge
(34).
6. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10) as defined in claim
5 in which:
said platform (18) comprises a first deployment retainer surface
(46) disposed adjacent said platform inner edge (34);
said platform support structure (24) comprises a second deployment
retainer surface (52) disposed adjacent said opening (22) in said
exterior shell (14); and
said first retainer surface (46) engages said second deployment
retainer surface (52) when said platform (18) is in said use
position.
7. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10) as defined in claim
6 in which said platform (18) includes mounting hardware pivotally
attached to said inner edge (34) of said platform (18) along said
horizontal pivot axis (40).
8. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10) as defined in claim
7 further including a storage compartment (54) disposed in said
vehicle (12) adjacent said opening (22) in said vehicle exterior
shell (14), said storage compartment (54) being accessible through
said exterior shell (14) via said opening (22), at least a portion
of said platform (18) being disposed within said storage
compartment (54) in said stowed position.
9. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10) as defined in claim
8 in which said storage compartment (54) comprises a portion of a
space between a floor pan (50) and a support panel (56) of said
vehicle (12), said support panel (56) having a marginal rear edge
(58) spaced from an upstanding end wall (60) of said floor pan (50)
defining said opening (22) in said exterior shell (14).
10. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10) as defined in
claim 9 further including at least one backstop member (64)
supported on said floor pan (50) adjacent said platform (18) in
said stowed position, said backstop member (64) having a first
backstop surface (66) engageable with a second backstop surface
(68) disposed on said platform (18) when said platform (18) is in
said stowed position.
11. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10) as defined in
claim 10 in which said first deployment retainer surface (46) and
said second backstop surface (68) are disposed on said mounting
hardware.
12. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10') as defined in
claim 2 in which:
said platform (18') is oriented horizontally in said stowed
position;
said platform (18') is horizontally and translationally movable
between said interior stowed position and said use position.
13. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10') as defined in
claim 12 in which:
said platform (18') comprises a first deployment retainer surface
(46') disposed adjacent an inner edge (34') of said platform
(18');
said platform support structure (24') comprises a second deployment
retainer surface (52') disposed adjacent said opening (22') in said
exterior shell (14'); and
said first retainer surface (46') engages said second deployment
retainer surface (52') when said platform (18') is in said use
position.
14. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10') as defined in
claim 13 further including a storage compartment (70) disposed in
said vehicle (12') adjacent said opening (22') in said vehicle
exterior shell (14'), said storage compartment (70) being
accessible through said exterior shell (14') via said opening
(22'), at least a portion of said platform (18') being disposed
within said storage compartment (70) in said stowed position.
15. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10') as defined in
claim 14 in which said storage compartment (70) comprises a portion
of a space between a top panel (72) and a support panel (56') of
said vehicle (12'), said top panel (72) and said support panel
(56') disposed above and below said opening (22'),
respectively.
16. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10, 10') as defined in
claim 1 further including a handle (48, 48') disposed adjacent an
outer edge (38, 38') of said platform (18, 18').
17. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10, 10') as defined in
claim 16 in which said handle is integrally formed with said
platform (18, 18') as a single unitary piece.
18. An automotive seat assembly (10, 10') comprising:
a platform (18, 18') having an upper seating surface (20, 20');
a platform support structure (24, 24') engageable with said
platform (18, 18') and configured to be supported on an automotive
vehicle (12, 12') and to secure said platform (18, 18') in a
generally horizontal exterior use position on the vehicle;
said support structure (24, 24'), further configured to support
said platform (18, 18') for movement between said exterior use
position and an interior stowed position generally within said
platform storage compartment (54, 70);
said platform (18) defines an inclined plane when in said stowed
position with an outer edge (38) of said platform (18) disposed
higher than an inner edge (34) of said platform (18);
said platform (18) is translationally movable along said inclined
plane between said interior stowed position and an exterior raised
position above said use position; and
said platform (18) is pivotally movable between said raised
position and said use position about a horizontal pivot axis (40)
disposed adjacent and parallel to said platform inner edge
(34).
19. An automotive seat assembly (10, 10') comprising:
a platform (18, 18') having an upper seating surface (20, 20');
a platform support structure (24, 24') engageable with said
platform (18, 18') and configured to be supported on an automotive
vehicle (12, 12') and to secure said platform (18, 18') in a
generally horizontal exterior use position on the vehicle, said
support structure (24, 24'), further configured to support said
platform (18, 18') for movement between said exterior use position
and an interior stowed position generally within said platform
storage compartment (54, 70), said platform support structure (24,
24') including a bumper (26, 26') configured to be supported on a
vehicle (12, 12') adjacent said storage compartment (54, 70), at
least a portion of said platform (18, 18') extending from said
opening (22, 22') and resting on said bumper (26, 26') when said
platform (18, 18') is in said use position.
20. A method for using an automotive seat assembly (10, 10')
supported on an automotive vehicle (12, 12'), the vehicle having a
storage compartment (54, 70), the seat assembly including a
platform (18, 18') movable between an interior stowed position
within said storage compartment and a generally horizontal exterior
use position, said method including the steps of:
moving the platform from the stowed position;
moving the platform to the use position; and
said step of moving the platform (18, 18') to the use position
includes the step of resting the platform (18, 18') on an
automotive bumper (26, 26') supported adjacent the storage
compartment (54, 70).
21. A method for using an automotive seat assembly (10, 10')
supported on an automotive vehicle (12, 12'), the vehicle having a
storage compartment (54, 70), the seat assembly including a
platform (18, 18') movable between an interior stowed position
within said storage compartment and a generally horizontal exterior
use position, said method including the steps of:
moving the platform from the stowed position;
moving the platform to the use position;
said step of withdrawing the platform (18) from the stowed position
includes the step of pulling the platform (18) translationally
upward and outward to a transitory raised position above the use
position; and
said step of moving the platform (18) to the use position includes
the step of lowering an outer edge (38) of the platform (18) to
pivot the platform (18) downward about a pivot axis (40) disposed
adjacent and parallel to an inner edge (34) of the platform (18) to
the generally horizontal use position.
22. The method of claim 21 further including the step of stowing
the platform (18) by:
lifting the outer edge (38) of the platform (18) upward until the
platform (18) has pivoted about the pivot axis (40) into the raised
position; and
translationally lowering the platform (18) into the stowed
position.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to an automotive seat and, more
particularly, to such a seat that is movable between a stowed and a
use position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known for automotive vehicles such as pickup trucks and
station wagons to have fold-down tailgates that may be used, when
the vehicle is parked, as a seat or as a table-top for placing
items such as drinks, food, and the like.
For vehicles without fold-down tailgates or similar such
structures, the rear bumper may be the only convenient alternative
surface available for use as a seat or a table-top. However, the
upper surfaces of bumpers are typically quite narrow and are often
slanted at an angle that would cause a seated person to slide off
or have to push back with his or her legs to remain seated. In
addition, bumper surfaces are typically coated with substances such
as dirt and road salt--substances which can leave unsightly marks
on one's clothing.
What is needed is a stowable seat with a surface that is wide
enough and level enough to seat a person without the problems
present in existing rear bumper configurations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An automotive seat assembly 10, 10' is provided that comprises a
platform 18, 18' including an upper seating surface 20, 20'
supported on an automotive vehicle 12, 12'. The vehicle 12, 12'
includes an exterior shell 14, 14' that defines and bounds a
vehicle interior. At least a portion of the upper seating surface
20, 20' extends outside the vehicle interior when the platform 18,
18' is in a generally horizontal use position. A platform support
structure 24, 24' is supported on the vehicle 12, 12' and is
engageable with the platform 18, 18' to support the platform 18,
18' in the use position. Characterizing the invention is an opening
22, 22' in the exterior shell 14, 14' through which the platform
18, 18' is movable between the use position and an interior stowed
position within the vehicle interior to protect the platform 18,
18' from the elements and to prevent the platform 18, 18' from
interfering with the operation of a vehicle bumper 26, 26' in a
collision.
Unlike existing automotive seating systems and exterior vehicle
structures, a seat assembly constructed according to the present
invention has a platform and seating surface that may be kept clean
by moving the platform to a stowed position in the vehicle interior
when the seat assembly is not in use. In addition, the platform
width may extend laterally beyond an associated vehicle bumper when
in the use position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
To better understand and appreciate the invention, refer to the
following detailed description in connection with the accompanying
drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exterior seat assembly
constructed according to the present invention and installed in an
automotive vehicle with a platform of the seat assembly in a use
position;
FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away cross-sectional perspective view of
the seat assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the platform portion of the seat
assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the seat assembly
of FIG. 1 with the platform between a stowed and a raised
position;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the seat assembly of FIG.
1 with the platform in the stowed position;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the seat assembly of FIG.
1 with the platform in a raised position;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the seat assembly of FIG.
1 with the platform in the use position; and
FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment
of the seat assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
An automotive seat assembly constructed according to the present
invention is generally shown at 10 in FIGS. 1-7. The automotive
seat assembly 10 includes an automotive vehicle 12 comprising an
exterior shell 14 that defines and bounds a vehicle interior 16.
Supported on the vehicle 12 is a movable platform 18 with an upper
seating surface 20.
The platform 18 is movable between an interior stowed position
within a storage compartment in the vehicle interior 16 and a
generally horizontal exterior use position. The platform 18 is
shown in the use position in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 and in the stowed
position in FIG. 5. In the use position at least a portion of the
upper seating surface 20 extends outside the vehicle interior 16.
While moving between these two positions, the platform 18 passes
through a storage compartment opening 22 in the exterior shell
14.
A platform support structure, generally indicated at 24 in FIGS. 1,
2 and 4-7, is supported on the vehicle 12 adjacent the opening 22.
As is described in greater detail below, in the present embodiment,
the platform support structure 24 includes both a rear bumper 26
attached to the vehicle 12 and structures forming and defining the
storage compartment opening 22. The platform support structure 24
engages the platform 18, both at the storage compartment opening 22
and at the rear bumper 26, to secure the platform 18 in the use
position and to support the platform 18 when downward loads and/or
side loads are applied to the seating surface 20.
For purposes of this description, the exterior shell 14 of the
automotive vehicle 12 is defined to include an unbroken imaginary
exterior surface coinciding with the exterior surfaces 14 of all
vehicle exterior body panels, underbody panels, suspension
components and frame members. This imaginary shell also extends
across all openings into the vehicle interior 16 such as window
frames, grilles and the like.
For purposes of this description, the vehicle interior 16 is
defined as including the entire region bounded by the imaginary
shell described above. This region includes but is not limited to
the passenger compartment, the engine compartment, the luggage
compartment, the trunk, and spaces and structures located between
the passenger compartment and exterior body panels.
As best shown in FIG. 1, the rear bumper 26 projects outward from a
point on a back end portion 28 of the vehicle exterior shell 14
adjacent a back gate 30 or trunk lid of the vehicle 12.
As shown in FIG. 1, a cut-out region 32 is disposed along the lower
marginal edge of the back gate 30. The cut-out region 32 is shaped
to fit over an inner edge 34 of the platform 18 when the platform
18 is in the use position. This allows an operator to close the
back gate 30 over the platform 18 when the platform 18 is in the
use position. Alternatively, the cut-out region 32 can be provided
in a cross-panel that is below the lower edge of a trunk lid or a
tail gate.
The platform 18 has a generally rectangular plate-like shape and is
preferably made of a plastic or other durable material resistant to
marring, puncturing and damage from golf spikes or the like. This
construction is intended to allow a person to place his or her foot
on the platform 18 without damaging the platform 18.
As shown in FIGS. 2-7, the platform 18 includes a rectangular
spacer pad 36 fastened by known means to a bottom surface of the
platform 18 opposite the upper seating surface 20. When the
platform 18 is in the use position, the spacer pad 36 spaces the
platform 18 above and supports the platform 18 on an upper surface
of the bumper 26. The spacer pad 36 can be made of soft material
that also serves to protect the finish on the upper surface of the
bumper 26, if necessary, from damage that might be caused by direct
contact with the platform 18.
In the stowed position, the platform 18 is upwardly and rearwardly
inclined with an outer edge 38 of the platform 18 disposed higher
than the platform inner edge 34. The platform 18 is translationally
movable along an imaginary inclined plane defined by the
orientation of the platform 18 in the stowed position shown in FIG.
5 through the cut-out region 32. The platform 18 is movable in this
imaginary plane between the interior stowed position and an
exterior raised position shown in FIG. 5. The platform 18 is
pivotally movable between the raised position and the use position
about a horizontal pivot axis shown at 40 in FIGS. 1-4. The pivot
axis 40 is disposed adjacent and parallel to the platform inner
edge 34.
As shown in FIGS. 1-7, the platform 18 includes two pieces of
mounting hardware 42 that are pivotally attached at opposite ends
of the inner edge 34 of the platform 18 along the horizontal pivot
axis 40. Each piece of mounting hardware 42 has an L-shaped profile
and an upper end pivotally attached to the platform 18. The
mounting hardware 42 is configured to allow the platform 18 to
slide between the stowed and raised positions and to engage and
pivot about an upper portion 44 of the platform support structure
24 between the raised and use positions. In other words, the
mounting hardware 42 provides a pivot slide connection between the
platform support structure 24 and the platform 18. As shown in
FIGS. 2-7, the platform 18 also comprises a first deployment
retainer surface 46 disposed adjacent the platform inner edge 34 on
an inner surface of each piece of mounting hardware 42 adjacent a
lower end of each piece of hardware 42.
The platform 18 includes a handle 48 disposed adjacent the outer
edge 38 of the platform 18. The handle 48 comprises an elongated
slot formed into an elongated tab portion extending outward from
the outer platform edge. The handle 48 allows an operator to easily
grasp the outer edge 38 of the platform 18 to move the platform 18
between the stowed and use positions. The handle 48 is integrally
formed with the platform 18 as a single unitary piece. In the
stowed position the platform outer edge 38 may be disposed flush
with the vehicle exterior shell 14. The outer edge 38 may also be
painted the same color as the vehicle exterior shell 14 to help
conceal the platform 18.
The platform support structure 24 includes the rear bumper 26. The
rear bumper 26 has an elongated shape and is mounted horizontally
on the vehicle 12 along the back end exterior shell portion 28 of
the vehicle 12 below the storage compartment opening 22 by suitable
frame brackets or other support structures of a conventional type
(not shown). The rear bumper 26 supports the platform 18 under
downward loads when the platform 18 is in the use position.
As previously stated, the platform support structure 24 also
includes structures that form and define the storage compartment
opening 22. One of those structures is a structural floor pan 50 as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 4-7. As is best shown in FIG. 4, a second
deployment retainer surface 52 is disposed on a lower surface of an
overhang formed in an upper edge of the floor pan 50 adjacent each
end of the storage compartment opening 22. The first deployment
retainer surface 46 of the platform hardware 42 engages the second
deployment retainer surface 52 when the platform 18 is in the
raised and use positions.
A platform storage compartment, shown at 54 in FIGS. 2 and 4-7, is
disposed in the vehicle interior 16 adjacent the storage
compartment opening 22 in the vehicle exterior shell 14. In other
words, the storage compartment 54 is accessible through the
exterior shell 14 via the storage compartment opening 22, i.e., the
opening 22 in the vehicle exterior shell 14. At least a portion of
the platform 18 is disposed within the storage compartment 54 when
the platform 18 is in the stowed position.
The storage compartment 54 comprises a portion of a space defined
by and disposed between the structural floor pan 50 and a support
panel 56 of the vehicle 12 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4-7. The support
panel 56 has a marginal rear edge 58 spaced from an upstanding end
wall 60 of the floor pan 50 defining the slot-like storage
compartment opening 22 in the exterior shell 14.
The support panel 56 overlies the floor pan 50 providing, in a
typical fashion, space therebetween. If the vehicle 12 is a sport
utility vehicle, a station wagon or a van, then the support panel
56 will comprise the interior floor surface at the back of the
vehicle 12. On the other hand, if the vehicle 12 is a sedan or
other vehicle equipped with a trunk, then the support panel 56 will
comprise the floor or deck of the trunk. In either case, the
support panel 56 may be either permanently fixed in place or may be
removably installed to allow access to the storage compartment
54.
In the present embodiment, in addition to the rear bumper 26, the
platform support structure 24 also includes the upstanding rear
wall 60 of the floor pan 50 and the upturned marginal rear edge 58
of the support panel 56. Together, the floor pan rear wall 60 and
the upturned support panel rear edge 58 sandwich the mounting
hardware 42 when the platform 18 is in either the raised position
or the use position. With the mounting hardware 42 secured between
these structures and with the platform 18 rotated downwardly into
the use position, a bottom surface 62 of the platform 18 engages an
upper marginal edge surface of the support panel 56. This holds the
first deployment retainer surface 46 against the second deployment
retainer surface 52 which effectively secures the platform inner
edge 34 against both vertical and fore-aft lateral movement. The
storage compartment 54 is sheltered from the elements by well-known
means such as drain gutters and weather strips.
Two backstop members, one of which is shown at 64 in FIGS. 2 and
4-7, are connected to the floor pan 50 in the storage compartment
54. The backstop members 64 support the platform 18 by engaging the
two hardware pieces 42 when the platform 18 is in the stowed
position. More specifically, each backstop member 64 has a first
backstop surface 66 that engages a second backstop surface 68
disposed on each of the outer surfaces of the two hardware pieces
42 of the platform 18 when the platform 18 is in the stowed
position. The backstop members 64 retain the platform 18 in the
stowed position, preventing the platform 18 from sliding further
into the vehicle interior 16 and out of reach. Suitable side guides
are provided--one of which is shown at 69 in FIGS. 6 and 7.
In other embodiments, the platform 18 may have other suitable
shapes, may be constructed from different materials, and may
include more than one spacer pad 36. The platform 18 may be
inclined at an angle other than as shown in the present embodiment.
For example, the platform 18 may be inclined in the vertical, i.e.,
it may have a 90 degree incline as measured from the horizontal. In
addition, any of a number of different types of mounting hardware
may be employed in connecting the platform 18 to the support
structure 24.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, a platform 18' is pulled
outwardly of a horizontally-disposed storage compartment 70 from a
stowed position shown in solid line to a use position shown in
broken line. In other words, the platform 18' is oriented
horizontally in the stowed position and is horizontally and
translationally movable between the interior stowed position and
the use position. Parts in this embodiment that are similar to
corresponding parts shown in the prior embodiment have the same
reference numeral, only primed.
As shown in FIG. 7A, the platform 18' comprises a first deployment
retainer surface 46' disposed adjacent an inner edge 34' of the
platform 18'. The platform support structure 24' comprises a second
deployment retainer surface 52' disposed adjacent the opening 22'
in the exterior shell 14'. The first retainer surface 46' engages
the second deployment retainer surface 52' when the platform (18')
is in the use position.
The storage compartment 70 is disposed in the vehicle 12' adjacent
the opening 22' in the vehicle exterior shell 14'. The storage
compartment 70 is accessible through the exterior shell 14' via the
opening 22'. At least a portion of the platform 18' is disposed
within the storage compartment 70 when the platform 18' is in the
stowed position.
The storage compartment 70 comprises a portion of a space between a
top panel 72 and a support panel 56' of the vehicle 12'. The top
panel 72 and the support panel 56' are disposed above and below the
opening 22', respectively.
Two backstop members 64' are supported on the support panel 56'
adjacent the platform 18' in the stowed position. Each backstop
member 64' has a first backstop surface 66' engageable with a
second backstop surface 68' disposed on the platform 18' when the
platform 18' is in the stowed position.
Other versions of the embodiment of FIG. 7A may also include a
spacer pad as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7 at 36.
In practice, a seat assembly 10 constructed according to the
present invention is employed by first grasping the platform handle
48 and withdrawing the platform 18 from its stowed position by
pulling the platform 18 translationally and diagonally upward and
outward. The platform 18 is pulled diagonally upward and outward
until it reaches the transitory raised position where the first
deployment retainer surface 46 engages the second deployment
retainer surface 52 preventing the platform 18 from being withdrawn
further. In this position the platform 18 is positioned above the
use position. The platform outer edge 38 is then lowered, pivoting
the platform 18 downward about the pivot axis 40 to the generally
horizontal use position with the spacer pad 36 resting on the rear
bumper 26 of the vehicle 12.
Once the platform 18 is in the use position an object may be rested
on the upper seating surface 20 of the platform 18. The seating
surface 20 is intended to support any of a number of different
objects to include food and drink containers, a foot or the
posterior of a seated person.
Following use, the platform 18 is stowed by lifting the outer edge
38 of the platform 18 upward until the platform 18 has pivoted
about the pivot axis 40 into the raised position. In the raised
position the platform 18 is positioned at an insertion angle that
will allow it to be inserted diagonally downward into the storage
compartment 54. Finally, the platform 18 is lowered translationally
and diagonally from the raised position into the stowed position
against the backstops 64 in the storage compartment 54.
In the embodiment of FIG. 7A, the seat assembly 10' is employed by
first grasping the platform handle 48' and withdrawing the platform
18' horizontally and translationally outward from its stowed
position in the storage compartment 70. The platform 18' is pulled
outward to the use position where the first deployment retainer
surface 46' engages the second deployment retainer surface 52'
preventing the platform 18' from being withdrawn further and where
the platform 18' is resting on the rear bumper 26' of the vehicle
12'. Following use, the platform 18' is stowed by pushing the
platform 18' inward out of the use position and into the stowed
position against the backstops 64' in the storage compartment
70.
In other embodiments, platform 18 deployment and stowage may be
automatic rather than manual. Automatic deployment and stowage may
be powered by any one or more of a number of different drive
mechanisms known in the art such as electric servomotors, hydraulic
actuators and pneumatic cylinders. Automatic deployment and stowage
may be initiated by any one of a number of different electric
and/or mechanical switching mechanisms known in the art.
By including the vehicle rear bumper 26 in the platform support
structure 24, the platform 18 can be vertically supported without
the additional structural strength that would be required to
support the platform 18 in a cantilevered fashion without bumper
support.
I intend the above description to illustrate embodiments of the
present invention by using descriptive rather than limiting words.
Obviously, there are many ways that one might modify these
embodiments while remaining within the scope of the claims. In
other words, there are many other ways that one may practice the
present invention without exceeding the scope of the claims (where
reference numerals are included merely for convenience and are not
limiting).
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